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Header Photos

 

Clockwise from top left:  Boston Bluegrass annual Joe Val Festival; 

North Adams Fall Foliage Parade; Pilgrim girl at Plimoth Plantation, credit Don Teague; Central Massachusetts; American Textile History Museum in Lowell

 

 

November 2018

 

Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!

 

Apples, Art and All-American Celebrations

As we wrap up Halloween haunts and set the stage for giving thanks, we delight in fall foliage and welcome more time with family and friends. November begins with the 24th annual Franklin County CiderDays festival (Nov 2-4), a celebration of all things apples! If PYO orchards, sweet treats, and hard cider strike your fancy, keep an eye out for a brand-new apple guide making an appearance during CiderDays (and online here in the coming week). Festivals continue in the arts with events like Illuminus in Boston and the Paradise City Arts Festival in Marlborough, while special exhibits and open studios offer opportunities to engage artists and browse profound works statewide. Closing out the month with Thanksgiving festivities is beloved America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration, a must for first-timers and longstanding tradition (since 1621).

For more on what to see + do in Massachusetts, visit massvacation.com.

 

 

 

Featured Region: Franklin County

CiderDays will be celebrated November 2-4 throughout Franklin County! The original craft cider festival features cidermaking and tastings, workshops, orchard tours, culinary demonstrations and much more in orchards and venues county-wide. Whether you are a cider aficionado (hard or sweet), make your own cider, are an orchardist, like hanging out in bucolic orchards, or just enjoy soaking up all the goodness of autumn in New England, CiderDays is your event!  Don't miss the Cider Salons under the big tent in Turners Falls with over 120 ciders to taste and cider producers from around the world to meet!

There is a charge for some of the events, but many of the workshops and activities at the Shelburne Buckland Community Center and at local orchards are completely FREE.  More info can be found at ciderdays.org.

Find more events and information for Franklin County.

 

 

Greater Boston

From November 1-January 1, Greater Boston celebrates an eight-week holiday festival, when over 125 theater, dance, music, comedy and family performances - with thousands of half-priced tickets are made available! Seasonal favorites include traditional and contemporary Nutcracker ballets, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas Revels, The Black Nativity and Holiday Pops. Discounted dining deals and many free festivities are also part of this holiday gift. Tree and menorah lightings, BLINK! at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Holiday Strolls and of course the beloved First Night (& now First Day) all contribute to what makes the holiday season in Boston so memorable!  Give the gift that won't be re-gifted by purchasing discounted tickets at MayorsHoliday.com or at ArtsBoston Booths at Copley Square and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. 

Find more events and information for Greater Boston

 

 

Cape Cod

Start your holidays by the sea with Sandwich Glass Museum's 9th Annual Glassblowers' Christmas! From November 12-December 30, hundreds of unique glass ornaments handcrafted by some of the region's finest artists will adorn the museum's beautifully decorated trees. The Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown at dusk on November 21 is a Cape Cod holiday tradition, and the spectacular Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich will wow you Fridays through Sundays from November 23-December 30 (Friday-Sundays). Find these festive events, along with seasonal accommodations packages, at ChristmasonCapeCod.com!

Find more events and information for Cape Cod.

 

 

Greater Springfield

The holiday season jingles into Western Mass with plenty of events for the family! Bright Nights at Forest Park kicks off on November 21 and Six Flags New England presents Holiday In The Park on November 23. These holiday happenings and more are listed at ExploreWesternMass.com!

Find more events and information for Greater Springfield.

 

 

Hampshire County

We're feeling very thankful this month in Western Massachusetts! Maybe it's because only in Hampshire County can you find a holiday Maker's Market held in a funky music venue. Or, is it because you can shop for seconds at Snow Farm and visit an open studio in the same weekend? Perhaps it's because only in Northampton you can discover a world-class art exhibit titled Becoming a Woman in the Age of Enlightenment. Or maybe it's because music and poetry always seem to go hand-in-hand around here. Find your reason for thanksgiving this season in Western Mass!


Find more events and information for Hampshire County.

 

 

Johnny Appleseed Country

If you just can't wait to get in the holiday mood, come to Johnny Appleseed Country! Holiday-themed fairs, house tours and exhibitions of fancifully-decorated Christmas Trees usher in the season this month. And if it takes a nudge to get you into the spirit, Theatre at the Mount has just what you need: Silver Bells...It's Christmas Time in the City, a music-filled extravaganza the whole family can enjoy. Go ahead, start humming a holiday tune as you tour Johnny's backyard!

Find more events and information for Johnny Appleseed Country.

 

 

Martha's Vineyard 

Looking for that one-of-a-kind gift for that one-of-a-kind person in your life? Then come to the Holiday Gift Show at Featherstone Center for the Arts November 16-December 16 on Martha's Vineyard! This distinctive display of items are made by Vineyard artisans. Gifts galore, including apparel and accessories, cards, calendars, dog goods, unique soaps, gift boxes, jewelry, pottery, photography, paintings, posters, purses, scarves, ornaments and stocking stuffers! Stop by any day from noon to 4 pm. For more information visit featherstoneart.org.

Find more events and information for Martha's Vineyard.

 

 

Mohawk Trail Region

John Constable: The Wheat Field - 1816, oil on canvas. Gift of the Manton Art Foundation in memory of Sir Edwin and Lady Manton, 2007.

The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown turns its focus on two of Britain's most noted landscape painters of all time in Turner and Constable: The Inhabited Landscape. Opening December 15 and running through March 10, 2019, the exhibition features more than 50 landscapes by J. M. W. Turner and John Constable, including Constable's acclaimed masterpiece The Wheat Field (1816) and Turner's Rockets and Blue Lights Close at Hand to Warn Steam Boats of Shoal Water (1840).  

Find more events and information for The Mohawk Trail Region

 

 

MetroWest

As the trees around us begin to shed their natural splendor, it falls upon us to restore their innate beauty. Wellesley's Elm Bank takes this mission to heart as they prepare for their annual Festival of Trees (11/23-12/9). They invite the community to come decorate trees, visit Santa, and enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides. Tower Hill Botanic Garden joins the fun with the Night Lights program featuring stunning lights displays and family activities throughout the grounds (11/23-12/30).

Find more events and information for MetroWest.  

 

 

Nantucket Island

Visit Nantucket's holiday wonderland this November! See Miracle on 34th Street (Theatre Workshop), A Nantucket Christmas Carol (White Heron Theatre), attend NHA's Festival of Wreaths (11/21-25; preview party 11/20, 5 to 7 pm), hear the Vienna Boys Choir  (Dreamland, 11/30,) attend NHA's Festival of Trees (11/30; preview party 11/29 6 to 8 pm) and do not miss the grand finale Annual Tree Lighting (11/23, 5 pm) at Top of Main Street! There's also Rafael Osona's Auction Preview (11/29 & 30 10 am to 5 pm)!

Find more events and information for Nantucket Island.

 

 

North of Boston

North Shore Music Theatre presents Hairspray October 30-November 11! This irresistible, feel-good show is guaranteed to have you dancing the night away. Don't miss Ansel Adams, Environmentalist and Photographer: A Slide Lecture by Lance Hidy on November 3 at the Museum of Printing. Salt Marsh Antiques hosts their annual Christmas Open House November 24, 25 and December 1. Shop for antiques and gift-giving treasures in a beautifully decorated 1805 barn!

Find more events and information for North of Boston.

 

 

Plymouth County

South Shore Natural Science Center presents "Seasons of the Leaf"  through November 18! The exhibit promotes public appreciation of the art and science of botanical art and illustration in New England. The New England Society of Botanical Artists emphasizes New England plant diversity and its preservation and provides a community for artists and illustrators engaged in this challenging discipline with a goal to educate, excite, and commit every generation to preserve the environment and encourage responsible use, stewardship, and enjoyment of our natural resources. The SSNSC is located at 48 Jacobs Lane in Norwell.

Find more events and information for Plymouth County.

 

 

Southeastern Mass

United Way of Greater New Bedford is partnering with Fun 107 and WBSM for their Holiday Food Drive! This yearly food drive is held at Buttonwood Park and helps UWGNB re-stock food pantries for those in need. Non-perishable and canned goods can be dropped off on Saturday, November 10 from 10 am to 2 pm at Buttonwood Park, 1 Oneida Street, New Bedford. Volunteers will then sort the items into baskets for Thanksgiving Day. Come spread some holiday cheer!

Find more events and information for Southeastern Massachusetts

 

 

The Berkshires

Start a holiday tradition in the Berkshires at Naumkeag's Winterlights! Premiering this holiday season, the gardens at Naumkeag will be illuminated with thousands of shimmering holiday lights. Each weekend enjoy performances and activities for the whole family. Special guests, live music, children's activities and of course, countless holiday lights strung throughout the gardens, will create a winter experience like no other. Thursday through Sunday, November 23-December 30.


Find more events and information for The Berkshires

 

 

Greater Merrimack Valley

Family Trees: A Celebration of Children's Literature is a month-long celebration of 31 trees and wreaths of all shapes and sizes, ornamented with inspiration from contemporary and classic children's books. It will run November 21-January 1 at the Concord Museum's new Anna and Neil Rasmussen Education Center. Visitors will see trees creatively decorated in the themes of such books as Grandma's Purse, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, A Snowy Nap, Jan Brett; The Book Tree, Paul Czajak; Unplugged, Steve Antony; and 100 Bugs, Kate Narita. In celebration of the Louisa May Alcott's 150th anniversary, a special Little Women tree will also be  featured. For tickets and information. visit concordmuseum.org.

Find more events and information for Greater Merrimack Valley. 

 

 

Central Massachusetts

Begin your holiday celebrations in Central Mass with food, festivals, and performances! Sample craft beer from over 80 breweries at Brew Woo Harvest Fest on Saturday, November 3 at the DCU Center! Also enjoy live music, feast on savory food offerings and shop unique vendors. Christmas traditions begin shortly after as The Worcester Center for Crafts brings 60+ fine craft artists and their work to the Holiday Festival of Crafts on November 23-25, and The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts presents The Nutcracker that same weekend!

Find more events and information for Central Massachusetts.

 

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